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Microsoft Bows to Eolas, Revamps IE

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the here-ya-go dept.

Tenacious Dee writes "The patent quarrel between Microsoft and Eolas takes a strange turn with an announcement from Redmond that the Internet Explorer browser will be modified to change the way ActiveX controls are handled. A Microsoft white paper details the behavior change."

5 of 237 comments (clear)

  1. Extra click to interact with objects in pages. by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This solution sounds like flashblock.
    I personally hope it is like that, because then content won't be doing dodgy stuff without consent.

    Thank you Eolas :)

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  2. about time by eneville · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ActiveX has been a huge problem with IE (you should know this already). I hope ActiveX is removed, rather than improved. It would reduce people's dependancy on the browser, perhaps then authors will consider cross platforms, or rather, the forced to do things that are cross platform.

    --
    Why UNIX?
  3. What this means for other browsers by drgroove · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Microsoft is doing this for a strategic reason - other browser vendors cannot hope to pay the patent licensing fees that Eolas will charge them. Additionally, it will be difficult for other browser vendors to change their software as quickly - remember, MS had a prototype version of an "Eolas compliant" browser at least last year.

    Interesting move.

  4. Re:Uninformative blurb by LainTouko · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Wouldn't browsers like Opera and KHTML be safe due to not being based in America?

  5. Re:then don't spurn microsoft for patents, by h4rm0ny · · Score: 4, Interesting


    if I patent software and publically license it as beerware ad infinitium, do you chastise me for patenting?

    I'd say your heart was in the right place, but I don't believe that allowing the patenting of software or mathematical algorithms is in the best interests of mankind, a nation, or even in the long-run, to the benefit of individuals. Do not confuse copyright - this is how I did it - with patents - only I am allowed to achieve something. At least that is what they mean when we're talking about software. So I'm afraid, yes - I would disapprove of even your generous use of the patent system, because by joining the system, you strengthen it, whatever you intentions. Fighting over territory doesn't return it to the commons.

    I believe there would be a way out for you, in that you could simply publicly disclose your ideas. No need to join the patent system, but you've still enriched humanity.

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    Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.